Navratri 2012 Date — Sunday, September 16, 2012
When is Navratri in 2012? Sharad (autumn) Navratri starts Sunday, September 16, 2012 — not Chaitra Navratri in March–April.
Observance: Navaratri Ghatasthapana. City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Sharad Navratri 2012 calendar — nine days, Devi forms & colours
| Night | Date & day | Devi | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Sun, 16 September 2012 | Shailputri | Orange |
| Day 2 | Wed, 17 October 2012 | Brahmacharini | Royal Blue |
| Day 3 | Thu, 18 October 2012 | Chandraghanta | Yellow |
| Day 4 | Thu, 18 October 2012 | Kushmanda | Yellow |
| Day 5 | Fri, 19 October 2012 | Skandamata | Green |
| Day 6 | Sat, 20 October 2012 | Katyayani | Grey |
| Day 7 | Sun, 21 October 2012 | Kaalratri | Orange |
| Day 8 | Mon, 22 October 2012 | Mahagauri | White |
| Day 9 | Tue, 23 October 2012 | Siddhidatri | Red |
Navratri colours follow the weekday each night falls on, which is why the list changes every year. Some regional lists swap the last two colours for pink and purple — follow the one your community uses. When a tithi is doubled or dropped, two nights can share a date or a night can be skipped.
Sharad Navratri 2012 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ghatasthapana (Day 1) | Sun, 16 September 2012 | Kalash sthapana |
| Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami) | Mon, 22 October 2012 | |
| Maha Navami | Tue, 23 October 2012 | |
| Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra) | Wed, 24 October 2012 | |
| Sharad Purnima | Mon, 29 October 2012 |
About Sharad Navratri
Sharad Navratri (Ashwin / autumn) is the main nine-night worship of Goddess Durga celebrated across India. It begins with Ghatasthapana (kalash installation) and continues through nine forms of Devi, ending near Vijayadashami (Dussehra). This is different from Chaitra Navratri in March–April (spring). Gujarat is known for garba and dandiya; Bengal for Durga Puja pandals; South India for golu/kolu doll displays and sundal prasadam. Many households keep a sattvic diet or partial fast and perform morning and evening Devi puja.
How to observe
Start Day 1 with Ghatasthapana in a shubh muhurta if you follow home puja. Light a lamp morning and evening, recite Durga stotram or Devi Mahatmyam as your tradition allows, and offer flowers and simple naivedyam. Visit a Durga or Devi temple for alankaram darshan. On Ashtami or Navami, many families perform Kanya (Kanjak) puja. Close the festival with visarjan or sindoor traditions according to your region, and begin Vijayadashami with new learning or tools (Ayudha / Saraswati puja where customary).
Searches for “Navratri date April” usually mean Chaitra Navratri. This page is for Sharad (autumn) Navratri. City calendars may shift the start by a day based on sunrise and amanta/purnimanta rules.
Why we celebrate
Beginning of nine nights of Devi — installation of sacred kalash invoking Durga.
How it is celebrated
Daily Devi puja, golu/kolu display in South India, garba/dandiya in Gujarat, Durga puja in Bengal. Fasting or sattvic diet through nine days.
Puja timing
Morning and evening puja; Ghatasthapana on Day 1 during Shubh muhurta. Sandhya arati each night.
Foods & offerings
Fasting foods: sabudana, kuttu, fruits, milk. South India: sundal prasadam daily. Bengal: bhog to Ma Durga.
Rituals
- Ghatasthapana (Day 1): establish kalash, invoke Durga, sow barley/jowar.
- Daily: lamp, Devi stotram, offer flowers and naivedyam.
- Color-coded dress optional per day; visit temples for alankaram darshan.
- Kanya puja (invite young girls as Devi) on Ashtami or Navami in many homes.
- Ayudha puja / Saraswati puja on Mahanavami in several regions.
- Vijayadashami: visarjan, sindoor khela, and new beginnings.
Sharad Navratri dates by year
| Year | Date & day |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Wed, 28 September 2011 |
| 2012 | Sun, 16 September 2012 |
| 2013 | Sat, 5 October 2013 |
| 2014 | Thu, 25 September 2014 |
| 2015 | Tue, 13 October 2015 |
Hindu festivals around Sharad Navratri 2012
- Hartalika Teej 2012 date — Tue, 18 September 2012
- Ganesh Chaturthi 2012 date — Wed, 19 September 2012
- Anant Chaturdashi 2012 date — Sat, 29 September 2012
- Onam 2012 date — Wed, 29 August 2012
- Mahalaya Amavasya 2012 date — Mon, 15 October 2012
- Durga Puja 2012 date — Mon, 22 October 2012
- Dahi Handi 2012 date — Sat, 11 August 2012
- Janmashtami 2012 date — Fri, 10 August 2012
- Dussehra 2012 date — Wed, 24 October 2012
- Sharad Purnima 2012 date — Mon, 29 October 2012
- Raksha Bandhan 2012 date — Thu, 2 August 2012
- Karva Chauth 2012 date — Sat, 3 November 2012
